(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — What happens when real life interferes with reel life?

The month of August has not been kind to me to say the least. It started off calmly enough, only to leave me bogged down with articles to write and personal issues to deal with. They say that when it rains, it pours, and I have have learned first-hand that the quote is 100% correct. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and brighter days are ahead.

In the last several weeks, I have had the misfortune of dealing with three separate, yet related personal matters involving the family, some for the best, others for the worst. I’ll spare my readers the details, however, be advised that it is for the best. Also, issues with life outside the family have been hectic lately as well, which has added to my frustration and stress levels. And, of course who could forget Errol’s “blink and missed it” (that was one long blink) website and message board update to SON that left me feeling like a fish out of water while writing articles in Word and Notepad to be posted when the site finally came up, and then being forced to relearn a different system when it was finally safe to be posting again.

Needless to say that all of these things have left me derelict in my “One Life to Live” duties here at Soap Opera Network, and for that I apologize. And I ask you to bear with me in the next couple of weeks as I try to regain a foothold on my reporting duties. My goal is to have the July and Year-to-Date “OLTL” episode counts posted this week, resume posting episode recaps again, and for for several news reports to be uploaded in the coming days as well. I thank you for your patience and understanding and appreciate the the concern everyone has shown for me these past few weeks.

Switching gears, I suppose I should actually talk a little bit about “One Life to Live” now, since that is what this column is supposed to be about. So here goes… From what I seen of the show in recent weeks (and again I’ve been in and out do outside issues), it is evident that the “Tale of Two Todds” storyline is really the driving force behind the show right now. That is one of the only storylines I am actually enjoying at the moment. And I felt that revealing a much very alive Irene Manning as the figurehead behind all of this was a nice touch. Sure, I can see the point of those who feel like bringing her back to life as destroying the show’s history, but I don’t necessarily agree with that argument. I think it is a nice plot twist, and actually a good way to use the show’s history to educate newer viewers. If nothing else, it is a way of honoring that history, instead of rewriting it. Granted the writer’s are changing certain details to better fit the current storyline, but overall, I think the major details will or should remain the same.

Outside of the Todd storyline, about the only other thing that is really grabbing my attention at the moment is Destiny’s baby saga. While I am not that emotionally invested in this storyline, I can still sympathize with what she’s going through and feel for her. And I can Nora’s point-of-view, as well as Destiny’s mother, er grandmother. Nora wants to hold on to a part of her son, while Phylicia just wants what is best for Destiny and for the troubled teen to be able to make up her own mind. I can see both sides of the fence on this one, and agree that it would be a tough decision either way.

Moving on, due to the website issues, I don’t think anyone was able to try and answer the three trivia questions from my July 15 column, so I’ll give you a second chance to make your best guesses…

So here are your questions again: 1. What connection did Lee Patterson (ex-Joe Riley and Tom Dennison) have to legendary comedian Jack Benny? 2. Tonja Walker is cousins with what famous country music star? 3. James DePaiva (ex-Max) is a descendant of what former U.S. President? I’ll have the answers in the August 30 edition of My View of Llanview.

Now, before I wrap up this column, I’m going to look into my crystal ball and give you a quick sneak peek at a few things coming up a few weeks down the road. These are for the week of August 29th. A shocking discovery is made. Someone gets a visit from the past. One Llanview resident is guilty…but who and of what? And two families remain at odds.

Well that’s concludes yet another column. Have a great week and stay safe.

Take care, and until next time remember, we only have “One Life to Live”…

Great article. Things will work out for you in the end. Sometimes letting go or stepping back we see as negatives in our lives when in reality they are positives. We just don’t see it yet!

Michael & Marcie return. Nice touch. I disagree with bringing Irene back. Maybe I want real stories on soaps and not soap stories? The probability of Irene being alive and there being 2 Todds….. Either way, I am watching until the end. I watched the day they debut and I will watch when the curtain falls!.